What procedure can be used to embed or otherwise afix a non-visible
unalterable electronic signature, unique copyright mark, or other
"birthmark" so that images placed in the realm of the WWW can be
positively identified.  The intent would be to incorporate this
e-signature as proof that it is being used without the copyright
owner's permission.

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Clarification of Question by nivlek99-ga on 30 Jan 2003 11:11 PST

Specific mention of software that can undertake this task is also of
obvious benefit!

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Request for Question Clarification by tar_heel_v-ga on 30 Jan 2003 11:14 PST

Are you using any particular imaging or graphic manipulation
application such as photoshop, etc?

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Clarification of Question by nivlek99-ga on 30 Jan 2003 12:18 PST

Yes - Photoshop is my primary piece of "creation" software (v.5.0 for Mac).

Hi,

What you are looking for is watermark software, specifically invisible
watermark software. There are a couple on the market from which to
choose.

EIKONAmark (invisible watermarks) also AudioMark and VideoMark
http://www.alphatecltd.com/watermarking/watermarking.html

MediaSignDigital™
http://www.mediasec.com/html/en/products_services/mediasigndigital.htm

I've seen references to Digimarc's invisible watermarks, but could not
find an example at their website.
http://www.digimarc.com/

AiS Watermark Pictures Protector 3.3 (visible watermarks, however,
it's a free trial)
http://www.downloadfreetrial.com/multimedia/mult1800.html

Of course copyright violations of images on the web is a big problem
and they have been approached in different ways. The following
article,

Available Solutions
http://www.invisitec.com/solutions.shtml

discusses the pros and cons of some solutions. As to invisible
watermarking, they say,

"Pros
*Invisible watermarks may make it possible to track down the
unauthorized use of an image.
*Invisiblewatermarks clearly establish ownership of an image. 

Cons
*Since the watermarks are not visible, they probably won't stop anyone
from taking and using your image.
*At least two free tools exist that are very effective in removing
digital watermarks (StirMark and UnZign).

So, in summary, there are invisible watermark software applications
available and the phrase Caveat Emptor applies.

Search Terms
invisible watermarks
watermarks, software
invisible watermark software

well coordinated responce with lots of use information that I may have
otherwise not found.